About Dr Helen Benstead
I am the Academic Director of the Graduate School. In this role I manage the postgraduate research degrees across the University, managing the Graduate School team to ensure that our research degree students have an excellent student experience while studying with us. I also ensure that students are well supported throughout their research degrees to complete on time and with outstanding contributions to their research fields.
I began my career in education when I undertook a BA (QTS) in Primary Education at the University of Sunderland between 2007-2011 and won the Langham Award for outstanding academic contribution with my thesis. I then completed an MPhil with Distinction from the University of Cambridge in 2012 and went on to receive full ESRC funding for my PhD in Education, completed through the University of York in 2015.
I have worked in central and local government, as a Youth Policy Advisor at the Cabinet Office, and for the Mayor of London’s Education and Youth Team at Greater London Authority. I am the Founder and Director of Inclusive Classrooms, a social enterprise organisation which provided training and professional development opportunities for Teaching Assistants in mainstream primary schools from 2016-2022. I was the sole author of the Mayor of London's London Curriculum programme for primary schools from 2015-2018 and have authored a range of professional development materials for Teaching Assistants through my work with Inclusive Classrooms.
As an Associate Professor, I am also an active researcher and have published widely in a range of peer reviewed journals, as well as having books published that explore socially inclusive and participatory research in primary education contexts. My 'research' section gives further detail on my specific research interests.
Teaching and supervision
Prior to my role as Academic Director of the Graduate school, I taught across the suite of MA courses in the School of Education, primarily on modules exploring research methods and policy issues related to Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. I managed the MA Education/MA SEND & Inclusion full-time and part-time programmes between 2017-2025.
I supervise a range of students at level 8, covering PhDs in Education, Professional Doctorates and PhDs be Existing Works. I am always looking to support potential doctoral students through studies related to inclusive education. However, I am currently at full supervisory capacity at the moment.
Research
My research primarily focuses on the field of special and inclusive education. I am particularly interested in undertaking participatory research, with the aim of better supporting children identified with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) to collaborate in educational research. I have written extensively on the ways in which 'traditional' methodologies can be adapted for use in special and inclusive education. This better supports the inclusion of children's voices in research about their educational experiences. In my most recent research, I have used a researcher developed multi-sensory data collection tool to influence school based SEND policy, supporting children to share their learning preferences at their SEND review meeting.
I have also published widely on the role of Teaching Assistants (TAs) in primary schools; my doctoral study focused on the influence of TAs on the social inclusion of children identified with SEND. I have written a range of evidence-based intervention programmes to better support children to be socially included in mainstream schools.
Finally, I am interested in supporting students of education to develop their critical thinking, reading and writing skills and am currently authoring a book entitled 'Studying Education Critically.' This links with my work on inclusive methodology as it supports students to think critically about the methodological approaches that we use in the field of special and inclusive education.
My interests focus on: inclusive methodology; participatory research with children identified with SEND; the role of Teaching Assistants; and, critical study of special and inclusive education.